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Philly teachers seek more special education support
One of the top requests in a Philadelphia School District survey last year, among 13,000 responses: more support for special education.
- 75% of district schools don’t have a full-time special education compliance manager. It’s a key position, parents and teachers say, but most often filled by current teachers on top of their classroom duties.
The dual role comes with a $4k stipend, but it’s difficult. “It’s not feasible, even if you were superwoman,” one teacher told BP contributor Elizabeth DeOrnellas.
Philly teacher gets a ‘second chance’ at Jeopardy success
Picked to compete in Jeopardy’s new Second Chance competition, Philly teacher Erica Weiner-Amachi appears on the show tonight.
- After *just* missing her regular season win last July in a rare sudden-death round, she now has another opportunity to get into the Tournament of Champions, alongside fellow Philadelphian Ryan Long.
In advance of Weiner-Amachi’s big day, Asha Prihar spoke with the teacher about her last-minute injury and the roller coaster Jeopardy experience.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the November election in Philly
The midterm elections are upon us, and the Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide is here to help. Scroll through this cheat sheet to all the candidates and charter change questions, then bookmark it for easy access when you complete your mail ballot or head to the polls on Nov. 8.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Josh Shapiro broke the record for money spent on a campaign for Pa. governor, with his $44 million so far already topping Rendell’s $42M in 2002. [AP]
- Philly’s police union, the FOP, officially backed Oz for Senate, but the group representing Philadelphia’s Black police officers — the Guardian Civic League — just endorsed Fetterman instead. [PoliticsPA/NBC10]
- Checks are being stolen from the mail all over Philadelphia, but it happens much more in a handful of ZIP codes, including Germantown, Grad Hospital, and Kingsessing. [Chestnut Hill Local]
- Wholesalers and institutional buyers are snapping up more houses — over 1 in 5 sold in distressed Philly neighborhoods last year was to an outside investor. Orgs like the Kensington Corridor Trust are trying to change that dynamic. [Inquirer$/Drexel/Citizen]
- Interlude: Downright adorable pic of Phillies manager Rob Thomson as a catcher for the University of Kansas in the ’80s. [@RandomAthletes]
- We’re full into pie season, and if you want to order a few for Thanksgiving, this list of local bakeries will help you get an early start. [Eater]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- Temple is still planning to hold classes on Election Day — despite a student-led push for the university to cancel instruction and deploy some of its resources to help students and other Philadelphians get to their polling places
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins officials at PHL Airport for the unveiling of the newly named Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan International Arrivals Hall, and the dedication of a permanent exhibit honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy (1:30 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? October BP Quizzo is sponsored by Mighty Writers! Join us for a night of Philly trivia at Hawthornes in Bella Vista. Win prizes and enjoy happy hour specials with bonus questions about the Big Read program. Free RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19)
?️ The Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off this week with a slate of over 100 intimate screenings and panel discussions with actors and directors. Tickets start at $17. (Wednesday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 30)
? Calling all Bloody Mary fans: Northern Liberties bars host a Monster Mash challenge. Can you drink all nine Halloween-inspired versions of the brunch specialty? (Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23)
